Speaking & Teaching
Michael Kloth speaks to two audiences: photography industry groups on AI methodology for working businesses, and animal welfare organizations on practical AI adoption and shelter photography. All talks are taught from inside a working photography business, not from observation.
Upcoming workshop
Found and Not Generic: Using AI Without Losing Your Voice
Thursday, September 3, 2026, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM MST — Arizona PPA, Inc., 6700 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710
Full-day, hands-on workshop covering two connected problems: building the documented business identity that lets AI tools and answer engines describe a photographer correctly, and keeping AI-assisted writing sounding like the photographer instead of every other studio in town. Attendees build a working voice guide, set up a project that feeds an AI tool consistent business context, and run live queries to see how today's tools actually describe them.
2026 engagements
- Featured speaker — First Fridays: AI, Technology, and the Future of Animal Welfare (Outcomes Consulting, online)
- Guest presenter — AI for Animal Welfare Professionals course (Outcomes Consulting, online)
- Invited program presentation — Friends of Pima Animal Care Center (Tucson, Arizona)
- Guest content series and online workshop in development — HeARTs Speak
University teaching
- Washington State University Tri-Cities
- Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts, 2010–2018 — Digital Imaging, History of Photography, Fine Art for Non-Art Majors; MFA candidate mentorship
- Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Online
- Adjunct Instructor of Photography, 2012–2014 — Digital Image Management, Color Management, Printing, Business of Photography
- Adobe
- Adobe Certified Expert — Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro (2014–2017) · Adobe Certified Instructor (2014) · designations since retired by Adobe · Adobe Education Trainer (2018)
- Google AI Essentials (2025) · Google Prompting Essentials (2025)
Earlier talks and media
- National radio, Shelter Cats and Shelter Puppies era: NPR's Dog Talk (2010, 2011) · Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius/XM, including Cat Chat (2010) · Animal Radio (2010)
- Public talk, Shelter Cats and pet photography — Washington State University Tri-Cities (c. 2013, alongside the solo exhibition Shelter Cats: Larger Than Life)
Recognition
- Community Service Recognition Award — Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA), 2020, for volunteer photography services to animal welfare advocacy with Pima Animal Care Center and Friends of PACC
What hosts and partners say
“His perspective is unique and fascinating.”
— Kristen Hassen, Founder and CEO, Outcomes Consulting
“Michael Kloth is a gem who supports the Humane Society of Southern Arizona's pets through his photography, which tells beautiful stories.”
— Karen Hollish, Chief Development and Marketing Officer, Humane Society of Southern Arizona
Booking
- Speaker one-sheet: photography industry · animal welfare
- Background, in Michael's own words: How I Got Here, and Why That Matters Now · The Patience Transfer
- The photography itself: Even Odds: 20 Years of Shelter Photography · The Light That Was Already Leaving (fine art)
- Author profile: Michael Kloth Photography — About
- Inquiries: mike@michaelklothphotography.com